The Free Lunch

Rating:
Summary: A perfect escape
Review: I read this while stuck in bed recovering from an injury. I was depressed, in pain, and feeling really jaded. The Free Lunch provided me with a perfect refuge. This was a zany wild ride through the "underworld" of a not so far in the future theme park. It was not a "serious" book (though it did touch upon a few serious matters) which makes it a nice alternative when you crave something a little lighter, but still greatly entertaining. Full of humor and adventure, this book kept me hooked from beginning to end. It is nice to be able to laugh at society. This book also serves as a gentle reminder that learning to make what you have work for you can be the greatest achievement (as opposed to always longing to be taller, for example). I don't want to touch upon too much of the plot, because watching it unfold for yourself is a big part of the experience. However, I must say that the ending left it wide open for a possible sequel which I am hoping for! Come on, Spider, give me more!

Rating:
Summary: Magic
Review: I'm supposed to be studying for my law school finals, and instead I just spent two days devouring three Spider Robinson novels. So what I'm saying is, I spent the time constructively.

The other two are ones I'd already read, so never mind them. I'd been intending to get around to this one ever since it was published in August and just hadn't had time. So I finally made some.

Spider is in terrific form here. I can't tell you much about the story without spoiling it, so I'll keep my remarks general.

The tale centers on an extremely intelligent twelve-year-old boy named Mike, who may remind the reader both of Thorby in Robert Heinlein's _Citizen of the Galaxy_ and of Horty in Theodore Sturgeon's _The Dreaming Jewels_. The homage is deliberate, of course.

The plot is delightful. Mike hides away in Dreamworld, a magical theme park of the near future created by one Thomas Immega (presumably a descendant or other relative of the roboticist Guy Immega to whom _Callahan's Key_ is dedicated). Dreamworld is inspired by Disneyland but has rides and other features based on the works of e.g. Heinlein and the Beatles.

Its major rival is the violent Thrillworld. (The contrast is typical Spider, and I mean that as a compliment. If _you_ could make there be magic in the world, which sort would you pick? Black magic or white? Thrills or dreams? The manic pursuit of pleasure or the quiet possession of joy?) Thrillworld is headed by the nasty Alonzo Haines, who would very much like to destroy Dreamworld.

Anyway, Mike disappears into Dreamworld and almost at once hooks up with Annie, a middle-aged midget who has been hiding there for a while herself. Pretty soon interesting things start to happen, and not just because of Alonzo Haines. And that's about all I can tell you without giving too much away.

I _can_ tell you that the tale is Robinson at his humane and witty best. As usual, he includes at least one scene that will give you the creeping horrids; not many writers do this with Robinson's skill, as it takes a very high degree of empathy to create psychological tension without relying on gimmicks. And the reader familiar with Robinson's other novels will recognize _some_ familiar themes.

In short, readers who like Robinson already will find this a very satisfying tale. And readers who aren't already familiar with his work could profitably start here.

I hope some readers _will_ start here -- or somewhere -- because I really like all of Robinson's fiction. In general it's not only satisfying and entertaining SF, it's also a healthy dose of hope.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure, humor and excellent future extrapolation.
Review: If you have never had the joy of reading one of Spider Robinson's works of science fiction, then you are in for a treat. If you are a fan of the "Callahan's" series by Spider, then you are in for a pleasant change. And if you are a faithful reader of ALL of Spider Robinson's work, then your wait for more is now happily over.

"The Free Lunch" is one of those books that is so filled with wry humor, good ideas and fascinating characters all wrapped into a tight novel by a master storyteller. It is one of those books that brings you back to your childhood if you are older, and is completely accessible by youger readers as well. And best of all, when you finish the book it makes you feel like you have just experienced something truly entertaining--yet profound.

The angst and horrors that can be found in "Dreamworld," the amusement park of the future, only reveal themself in a place where "dreams come true." A fascinating plot, not easy to summarize, but very much worth the read. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure, humor and excellent future extrapolation.
Review: If you have never had the joy of reading one of Spider Robinson's works of science fiction, then you are in for a treat. If you are a fan of the "Callahan's" series by Spider, then you are in for a pleasant change. And if you are a faithful reader of ALL of Spider Robinson's work, then your wait for more is now happily over.

"The Free Lunch" is one of those books that is so filled with wry humor, good ideas and fascinating characters all wrapped into a tight novel by a master storyteller. It is one of those books that brings you back to your childhood if you are older, and is completely accessible by youger readers as well. And best of all, when you finish the book it makes you feel like you have just experienced something truly entertaining--yet profound.

The angst and horrors that can be found in "Dreamworld," the amusement park of the future, only reveal themself in a place where "dreams come true." A fascinating plot, not easy to summarize, but very much worth the read. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Spider Robinson's latest adventure
Review: Spider Robinson spins another whimsical tale. Like many of Robert Heinlein's juvenile books, Robinson's young hero, Mike, manages feats that adults would find difficult. However Mike and his mentor, Annie are both geniuses (another Heinlein title character trait)so they can manage three impossible things before breakfast. Robinson's Dreamworld is definitely a place I want to visit. Filled with exhibits reflecting Heinlein, Beatles and other cultural icons of the twentith century, the park is a walk down memory lane for baby boomer scifi fans. Read and enjoy, then pass it on to a favorite twelve year old kid and hook him or her on science fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Gotta love Spider, even when he's not working hard
Review: Spider Robinson's hippie optimism is a refreshing change from the grim, nihilistic science fiction that clutters the market. His pleasant characters and witty, succinct writing are likewise a tonic in a market filled with tormented, tight-jawed protagonists and bloated, thousand-page "first of a trilogy" books. True, he has an annoying tendency to believe that right-thinking people agree with each other on each and every little thing, and too many of his books end with everybody joining together in a groovy telepathic love-in. Still, his fast-paced, well written, fervently humanistic work has a place on the shelves of any serious science fiction reader, and, for most of his readers, in their hearts as well.

The Free Lunch is lesser Robinson, but it still contains all the reasons his readers enjoy his work -- protagonists who, while unrealistically competent, are basically nice folks who it would be fun to hang out with; a fundamental optimism about the human spirit; and Spider's wise, witty, and absorbing writing style. Also, as usual, he peppers his book with excellent reading suggestions. Robinson newcomers will find this a minor, but enjoyable, change of pace; they might be better advised to begin with his classic short story collection "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" or his still alarmingly topical novel "Night of Power."

Rating:
Summary: Gotta love Spider, even when he's not working hard
Review: Spider Robinson's hippie optimism is a refreshing change from the grim, nihilistic science fiction that clutters the market. His pleasant characters and witty, succinct writing are likewise a tonic in a market filled with tormented, tight-jawed protagonists and bloated, thousand-page "first of a trilogy" books. True, he has an annoying tendency to believe that right-thinking people agree with each other on each and every little thing, and too many of his books end with everybody joining together in a groovy telepathic love-in. Still, his fast-paced, well written, fervently humanistic work has a place on the shelves of any serious science fiction reader, and, for most of his readers, in their hearts as well.

The Free Lunch is lesser Robinson, but it still contains all the reasons his readers enjoy his work -- protagonists who, while unrealistically competent, are basically nice folks who it would be fun to hang out with; a fundamental optimism about the human spirit; and Spider's wise, witty, and absorbing writing style. Also, as usual, he peppers his book with excellent reading suggestions. Robinson newcomers will find this a minor, but enjoyable, change of pace; they might be better advised to begin with his classic short story collection "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" or his still alarmingly topical novel "Night of Power."

Rating:
Summary: Spider's Back, doing what he does best
Review: The Free Lunch is another of Spider Robinson's Heinlein impressions - and a damn good one it is as well! Dreamworld is a future theme park where all your dreams come true (under carefully controlled scientific conditions). Mike is a young, disillusioned boy who needs to escape from a reality that has become unbearable for him. He is a typical Heinlein juvenile; mature beyond his years with a vast knowledge of scientific and engineering principles and a quirky, clever mind. He manages to infiltrate Dreamworld where he plans to live a lotus-eating life away from the worries and responsibilities of reality. Underground in Dreamworld, he meets Annie, another refugee, who has been living there for more than thirteen years. She becomes his mentor.

It soon starts to become clear that there is a crisis in Dreamworld. Every evening, more staff leave the theme park than arrived in the morning - and the staff who leave are all trolls. Where are they coming from? Mike and Annie explore various hypotheses, each more outré than the last. But the truth turns out to be even stranger than anything they had imagined.

It's a great slam-bang adventure. Those with eyes to see will find it stuffed to the gunwales with Heinleinesque touches (Robinson can't resist the homage) but unlike some of his other books these touches aren't too overt and by and large they don't get in the way. He's also curbed his self-indulgent tendency to write self-referential novels full of science fictional in-jokes (I suspect he's found that they sell only to a very limited audience). As a result, The Free Lunch is one of his best novels in years and I strongly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Ride
Review: This book was an enjoyable romp, reminicent of the Heinlein juveniles. The plot was not as gripping as some, but the characters were sympathetic and enjoyable and you came to cheer for the two protagonists.

A quick and enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Ride
Review: This book was an enjoyable romp, reminicent of the Heinlein juveniles. The plot was not as gripping as some, but the characters were sympathetic and enjoyable and you came to cheer for the two protagonists.

A quick and enjoyable read.